Fuel Injector System Cleaning

Ladeback69

OK, this last Saturday I at the Ford dealer getting my F150 serviced and they said since it had 46,000 miles on it that I ought to have the fuel injector system cleaned and it would be $140.  I said yes at first then did an internet search and found that it really isn't necessary now with the new systems so I stopped them form doing it.  I can see that if it was an older truck and it was running rough and not getting good gas mileage, but mine is a 2011 that I bought in the start of 2012 and it runs fine and the mileage is were it should be.  What are your thoughts.  I think it is just a way to make money.  

Eggcelsior

Bingo. Unless you are having drivability issues(rough idle, decreased mileage, etc) or somehow have saved up a stockpile of decades-old gasoline, you're fine. All Top Tier gas has cleaner added(this is advertised; "detergents") and as long as the fuel filter is maintained properly, that is about all the maintenance you need.

Ladeback69

Eggcelsior said:

Bingo. Unless you are having drivability issues(rough idle, decreased mileage, etc) or somehow have saved up a stockpile of decades-old gasoline, you're fine. All Top Tier gas has cleaner added(this is advertised; "detergents") and as long as the fuel filter is maintained properly, that is about all the maintenance you need.

Thank you @Eggcelsior.  I didn't want to spend the $140 and I am glad i did a search real quick that saved me some dough.  I have the 5.0 and it is doing just fine.  They will try again I will just tell them that it is running fine and not to worry.  I change the oil and rotate the tires every 5000 miles.  I try to get the wife to, but its hard to keep up with her on it.

fishlessman

my 1989 dodge truck has never been done and gets better gas mileage now than it did the day i bought it new

RRP

One of my cars is a diesel and I was advised it still will benefit from that simple cleaning every 30K miles. My dealer's service rep confided in me to dump a couple bottles in when real low on fuel rather than to pay them $100 to do that. BTW his honesty with me and other customers as well cost him his job! 

fishlessman

Mickey will hate me for this, but why are you all going to the dealer find a small mechanic you trust, he charges lots less so you can put better meat in your egg

Ladeback69

fishlessman said:

Mickey will hate me for this, but why are you all going to the dealer find a small mechanic you trust, he charges lots less so you can put better meat in your egg

The only other mechanic in my area that I trust doesn't work late on weekends and you have to make appointments.  I pay about $50 for the oil change, tire rotation and the 3 extra quarts of oil that the 5.0 needs.  Now I almost didn't get the truck, because the finance guy I was dealing with told me if I take it anywhere else then the dealer for service I would void the warranty.  He was trying to sell me some service package for $4000 I didn't want.  I about worked.  He is no longer there now.
 

Eggcelsior

RRP said:

One of my cars is a diesel and I was advised it still will benefit from that simple cleaning every 30K miles. My dealer's service rep confided in me to dump a couple bottles in when real low on fuel rather than to pay them $100 to do that. BTW his honesty with me and other customers as well cost him his job! 

Diesel is a whole different animal compared to gasoline. Higher pressures with CR engines and ULSD fuel, along with the variables in diesel compared to gas are all reasons this matters in an oil burner(I have one too).

bud812

Just don't use cheep gas & a bottle of inj. cleaner once a year.

tarheelmatt

Run Sea Foam in it a couple times a year and don't worry about it....

odie91

Use Techron

lousubcap

That approach was tried on my son when he was first responsible for the maintenance on his car.  He called me and I told him to decline the treatment.  And he then scratched that business off his list.  As mentioned above, just run a bottle of injector cleaner thru your fuel system a couple of times a year.

YukonRon

All dealerships make their money on service and repair. Each time you take it in, the service guy will always try to sell up, or add on. Wise move to decline the extra suggested needs. 46K, the truck has not even broke a sweat. I have a 1997 expedition with 176K, and it runs like a scared rabbit. It has been to hell and back and is ready to go again. I have never cleaned the injectors. FWIW.

Jeepster47

I love it ... thanks for posting. 

Last fall the Jeep had an electronic hiccup while driving through Kansas.  Stopped at a Jeep dealership in Lawrence to get the fault codes checked and then cleared out.  While we were talking, the service manager mentioned looking into an injector system flush.  Had never heard anything about it before ... told him we were on a tight timeline and I'd look into it after the trip.  Must be a Kansas City, Kansas, service item!

RRP

Jeepster47 said:

I love it ... thanks for posting. 

Last fall the Jeep had an electronic hiccup while driving through Kansas.  Stopped at a Jeep dealership in Lawrence to get the fault codes checked and then cleared out.  While we were talking, the service manager mentioned looking into an injector system flush.  Had never heard anything about it before ... told him we were on a tight timeline and I'd look into it after the trip.  Must be a Kansas City, Kansas, service item!

Might be, but out of state plates was probably another factor. Several years ago we were on vacation in AZ in the summer and our a/c went out. I drove to an authorized dealer and the service man wrote up an estimate of $4,900 and I about gagged! I then asked it the a/c would be damaged if we drove home to IL and the reply was probably not. Instinct said get the heck out of there! I got home and had it repaired for $1,800!

WeberWho

RRP said:

Jeepster47 said:

I love it ... thanks for posting. 

Last fall the Jeep had an electronic hiccup while driving through Kansas.  Stopped at a Jeep dealership in Lawrence to get the fault codes checked and then cleared out.  While we were talking, the service manager mentioned looking into an injector system flush.  Had never heard anything about it before ... told him we were on a tight timeline and I'd look into it after the trip.  Must be a Kansas City, Kansas, service item!

Might be, but out of state plates was probably another factor. Several years ago we were on vacation in AZ in the summer and our a/c went out. I drove to an authorized dealer and the service man wrote up an estimate of $4,900 and I about gagged! I then asked it the a/c would be damaged if we drove home to IL and the reply was probably not. Instinct said get the heck out of there! I got home and had it repaired for $1,800!

What even happened for $1,800?  I can get used motor put into my Ranger for $900.  That seems super spendy for a/c

RRP

WeberWho? said:

What even happened for $1,800?  I can get used motor put into my Ranger for $900.  That seems super spendy for a/c

It was a $70K Mercedes and I got by cheaper as they used a rebuilt compressor vs a brand new one.

Focker

Fill your gas tank, add $10 can of Sea Foam.  Only difference is they run the BG stuff from the fuel rail.  Gotta hand it to the crooked dealerships on this one, one helluva upsell. 

Ladeback69

I haven't had any issues before there and will go back, but will be cautious when I go in next time.  They have never done anything like this before.   The guy I talked to I have never seen there before, but that doesn't mean much.

victor1

Too bad, but there is a lot of unnecessary service going on out there.  I agree, find a small independent repair service and you won't go wrong.  A glug of Seafoam is worth its weight in gold.   Just bought some at Menards for $7 a couple of days ago.

nolaegghead

Snake oil.  Never put anything in your oil or fuel unless you're winterizing.   Maintain your vehicle, including fluids and filters and you will have fewer problems.  And the problems you have aren't going to be solved with snake oil.

Eggcelsior

I love people cracking on the dealer but then plugging seafoam. It's unecessary unless you neglect your engine and even then, something with PEA is all you need(like Techron). Top Tier gas is all you really need.